Jester Challenge 2024. Sailing a 1970 Contessa 26 1400 miles non stop single handed

[@susan319]

i really enjoy your videos. please keep them coming. be safe and do enjoy this wonderful life you have.

[@contessa26-jim]

@@susan319 thank you, I'm pleased you enjoy them; the will be more!

[@twister2869]

Lovely. Nothing better than offshore in a small boat. I chose an extra couple of feet so I have standing headroom but was very tempted by a CO 26. Ive been using the same weather fax method for years and it's all you need. I actually prefer it to using windy when Im close to. the coast as it simplifies things which makes decision making easier.

[@contessa26-jim]

Yeah, its the proper information without any glitzy bits. I just need to find out how to decode navtex which I can pick up on my radio..

[@twister2869]

@@contessa26-jim Navtex Pad APP by same company that make the weather fax App

[@kevthepunkster]

Keep making these no nonsense videos, I find them great to watch. My name is already down for next years Jester.

[@contessa26-jim]

There are plenty in the pipeline after the last few weeks of solid sailing 😁

[@allthingscontessa2622]

Great Video diary...just binged all of them...

[@contessa26-jim]

Wow, that was a marathon, thank you!

[@paulyneskipsey]

We crossed the Atlantic now in the Caribbean. Enjoying your videos so thanks

[@contessa26-jim]

@@paulyneskipsey thank you!

[@spanishflew]

brilliant video.

[@contessa26-jim]

Thank you kindly sir!

[@sueturner263]

Enjoyed watching - nothing like solo sailing to heighten your senses. Looking forward to more videos.

[@contessa26-jim]

Thnak you Sue, more videos coming up soon!

[@sueturner263]

@@contessa26-jim Wish may windvane worked as good as yours.

[@contessa26-jim]

@@sueturner263 Thats a shame, what model do you have?

[@sueturner263]

@@contessa26-jim My boat is Francis 26 & the windvane is a Windpilot Pacific light - I only fitted it on the boat this year so still on a steep learning curve. Graeme Shimwell gave me a few tips & hints when in Newyln this year, but still not holding course for a long time.

[@contessa26-jim]

@@sueturner263 You're right, there is a bit of a learning process, but the Pacific is well regarded and it should do the job for you.. these things are easier to sort out in person really.. Frances 26 is a lovely looking little boat!

[@adrena45]

Just ran across your video! Love it! I started sailing 50 odd years ago in the waters off Sicily my home! My brother and I had an old old 20 foot barely floating sailboat then as a kid got my first a 23 ft precision sloop and man from there the world was mine! I sailed solo the med for a few years then got a bigger boat and crossed many seas now retired and on my dream Beneteau O’ 40 and would love to cross the Atlantic again but alas this girl can’t do it sooooo anymore lol fair winds and fins up to you! Can’t wait for more from you!

[@contessa26-jim]

Thanks, I'm finally home now so more videos will be arriving as soon as I can get them done!

[@rimasmeleshyus9486]

Cantesa 26 is one of the best sailboats ⛵️ Really great video, and I enjoy watching .Greetings from the beautiful old city Punta Arenas Antarctica Patagonia Chile 🇨🇱 I wish you a fear of winds and following seas 🌊 🌇 🌅

[@contessa26-jim]

Thanks, yes the CO26 is a remarkable sea boat for her size!

[@thecockneykayaker2239]

I really admire what you do thanks for sharing

[@contessa26-jim]

Thanks for watching!

[@madm2082]

amazing , you , the sea ,the wind , and the immediacy of life, alone as far as you can see

[@contessa26-jim]

You've spotted the whole essence of it M!

[@HP-qj4gz]

Well done! I was watching your progress with interest. A proper Jester sized boat too!

[@contessa26-jim]

@@HP-qj4gz yeah no cheating going on here! 🙂

[@hebertcentrone6804]

Enjoy your videos

[@contessa26-jim]

Thank you!

[@Nick-kn2os]

Absolutely brilliant,what a top skipper and to come in in that time was superb.........Well done you, just shows you dont have to have new everything to enjoy yourself and have a good time. . .........Keep safe all the best Nick

[@contessa26-jim]

Thanks Nick, it would have been quicker if I hadn't got in a muddle round the Finisterre TSS!

[@deanpurcell7771]

Thanks for the update.....really enjoying your videos.

[@contessa26-jim]

@@deanpurcell7771 thanks Dean, there's more to come as you have probably guessed..

[@1962gms]

Great progress Jim, and a really interesting film. See you in CYC when you get back, I’d love to hear more - fair winds ⛵️

[@contessa26-jim]

Thanks, there will be lots more soon, I just arrived back..

[@frankboff8185]

Very good video, thanks for sharing.

[@contessa26-jim]

Thank you!

[@daverolstone5669]

Love your dry sense of humour:).

[@contessa26-jim]

Thanks Dave

[@lorrainedenning6548]

Excellent! I love watching your videos Jim. And when your back I have a pair of trousers I need turning up 😂☺️ Stay safe. Xx

[@contessa26-jim]

Bring em round Lozza, you can see I'm a dab hand with needle and thread!

[@lorrainefarrell6470]

@@contessa26-jim 😁 I can see that! Neat bit of sewing going on there ☺️⛵️⛵️ xx

[@kevinconway3979]

Watching you this evening coming back into the Bristol Channel on Ais. Hope you had a great trip home. Looking forwards to your videos. Kevin

[@contessa26-jim]

Thanks Kevin, I didn't know anyone was watching! There is lots of footage so look out for me videos soon!

[@simonhjc]

I hope you got that chain plate sorted

[@contessa26-jim]

Yeah, taken out, checked, and re-bedded!

[@urbantransformationspathwa774]

Thanks for posting these. Very informative. Do you carry a liferaft? If so what type and where? I am just finishing the upgrade of a Trintella 29. Very similar to a Contessa 26. Thanks.

[@adrena45]

I have 2 one on the stern and one stowed in a spare cabin with my ditch bag close at hand! Always double on life saving single on luxurious items is my sailing rule!

[@contessa26-jim]

No, I don't have a life raft at present, I'm not sure where I would put one. I have a dinghy and a PLB. I haven't been able to find a small one, they all seem to be 4 man or more..

[@urbantransformationspathwa774]

@@contessa26-jim Thanks for the answer, The smallest and lightest 4 person raft I could find is the 4 Person Ocean Safety Standard Life raft. I my case the valise version could just fit into a cockpit locker. Otherwise I think it would be stored above the main hatch cover. Renting one seems quite a good option. For your dinghy have you a rapid means of inflating it? A long time ago Avon did “low pressure” self-inflation cannisters, but I can’t find any available. Is that your dinghy forward of the mast in the recent photo you have posted? The deck looks very neat and clear, congratulations on your successful trip.

[@contessa26-jim]

@@urbantransformationspathwa774 yeah the dinghy is lashed to the coach roof.. I just have a standard pump, I wonder what fast inflation methods are available, that could be interesting. I have very little spare room in the lockers unfortunately

[@urbantransformationspathwa774]

@@contessa26-jim Here are replies from the ever-helpful Sam from the Rib Store. No magic answers! Question 1: We were wondering about a cylinder or similar that would rapidly inflate a dinghy such as an Avon redstart for use in an emergency on a small yacht that does not carry a life raft. In an old Avon handbook they refer to such a system but this was in the 1970ies I think. Elsewhere I have read that with old Avons it is important not to overinflate them. So yes I was wondering if there is a safe and relatively easy system to use with a cylinder of compressed air or the such like to inflate quickly in an emergency. An electric pump is probably not a good idea in an emergency. Thanks REPLY 1: If you use a gas cylinder and aren’t monitoring the pressure I would definitely recommend fitting PRVs. If using the cylinder and “feeling” the tube at the same time you could use it as a big pump. Electric pumps to be honest aren’t necessarily all that quick. What sort of budget do you have? I ask this because filled cylinders are not cheap, especially when you add in pipes, PRVs etc. How many valves do you have and where would delivery be to? Kind regards, Sam QUESTION 2: In my case I have an Avon Red Start with two A7 Leafield valves for the main tube, plus one on the inflatable thwart. Jim who made the video has a similar size inflatable dinghy but a modern one. Regarding using pressure release valves on the AVON Redstart, I have read the info about the Leafield A6 PRV on your website, can they be adequately fitted as a DIY job? I see the torque is important and I am not clear how the inner component is held while tightening up the valve. I don’t have a budget in mind, this is something we were wondering about. If I did go down the cylinder route, I would need two PVRs plus the cylinders and connecting tubes. Do you have a ballpark figure for this? From your earlier mails, I’d probably be inclined to keep things simple and maybe just get a “faster” manual pump. Currently I have a Bravo 9 foot pump. Would a Scopega Bravo GM 4XS or Bravo 6 Stirrup pump make much difference to inflation time? Thanks REPLY 3: If your budget isn’t in the hundreds then to be honest, it’s not worth me looking into it. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was around the £500 mark (and could be more). If there’s always two people on board, then having two pumps would half the inflation speed with little cost. The Bravo 6 is a good pump - it’s really tricky to confirm which is faster though as there are many variables. END.

[@marcusscrafton535]

Great video. I do think the Contessa 26 is an amazing boat and keep looking on Apollo Duck. How does it feel to be so far out in the Atlantic relying on a 54 year old yacht?

[@contessa26-jim]

Sometimes it feels downright scary, when one is in uncharted territory of experience, but when the whole thing doesn't come to pieces at that point you feel more comfortable with it next time around..

[@adrena45]

Lol I sooo sailed a precision 23’ sloop for a few years all over the Mediterranean and loved it! Then it grew up and 50 years later became a Beneteau Oceanis 40 lol now I’m still a solo sailing girl and have crossed the Atlantic pacific and a dozen other seas and not once felt in danger like I did walking in Miami florida lolol

[@contessa26-jim]

@@adrena45 Yeah, keep it going!

[@contessa26-jim]

I think theres a CO26 on sale in Cardiff, its a very nice looking example and not overpriced..

[@marcusscrafton535]

@@contessa26-jim Many thanks for the message. I need to organise a house move from Manchester to the coast before I buy a boat unfortunately 😄

[@SvGemstar]

G'day. I own and live on a Columbia 27 ft sailing boat. I am in the proceese of refitting the boat. Going to install a 300 watt solar panel, 400 watt wind turbine, becase the wind turbine will work in those kind of conditions. I am very supprised you do not have one, How are you doing in the challenge, making up ground or is it too erly to tell ?. Good luck and steady winds. Gerard.

[@contessa26-jim]

I don't have a fridge or anything power hungry so I get by with a 90w solar panel and good quality controller, but if you want to run a lot of stuff you do need more power. Being so small, the boat already feels crowded so I'm not keen to install lots more stuff.. I rather like the minimalist way!

[@contessa26-jim]

The challenge is actually done, it isn't a race and everyone agreed safely.. I was somewhere in the middle at the finish.

[@SvGemstar]

Thanks for the reply. There is a contessa 26 sailing the east coasty of Queensland Australia called sky bird Kevin Green sailing is his channel if you are interested in looking it up.